'Happy New Year' is homecoming for me: Deepika Padukone

Mumbai: After starting her career with Farah-Shah Rukh Khan's joint production 'Om Shanti Om' seven years ago, actress Deepika Padukone feels her upcoming project 'Happy New Year' is like a homecoming.

'Happy New Year', releasing this Diwali, is again co produced by Farah and Shah Rukh and the actor will be seen romancing Deepika in it.

"'Happy New Year' is a homecoming for me. The way they (Shah Rukh and Farah) made me feel has brought back the memories of 'Om Shanti Om'. Even the way she calls me 'Baby' and I call her 'Maa'.

"Farah takes certain liberty with me and so do I. The way we talk to each other is special. In fact, a lot of time we would sit together and remember old times. They are family," Deepika said in a group interview.

The film is directed by Farah and has ensemble cast of Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani and Viaan Shah apart from Shah Rukh and Deepika.

Deepika says she feels her career is safe in the hands of the choreographer-filmmaker and SRK, both 49.

"They gave me such a beautiful launch in the industry and presented me so well. They took the responsibility and understood that this girl's career is in our hand," she said.

Deepika, 28, said she was the last one to join the multi-starrer.

"When I just finished 'Chennai Express' I got a call from Farah Khan and she asked me for 'Happy New Year'. The film happened at the last moment and my dates were free I am happy that I fit because at that time even Imtiaz Ali's film also shifted," she said, adding that she is happy to be a part of 'Happy New Year' even though the role was initially not offered to her.

In the film, Deepika plays a Marathi bar dancer in the film.

"Mohini Joshi is the character's name who is a bar dancer. She enjoys dancing and she worships dance. She and Abhishek's character Nandu have grown up together. I become the teacher of the gang and I teach them to dance once they come together. Mohini is the only member of her family who earns," she said.